Question for a friend

David McAfee · Mar 15, 2007

A coworker of mine has just completed a children's book. He knows I write, too, so he asked me a question. Unfortunatly, I know nothing about children's books, so I will ask y'all.

Is it better to have illustrations done in advance to send with the book? Or will a publisher assign an illustrator to work with the author upon purchasing the book?

Jimmer · Mar 15, 2007

Publishers will assign an illustrator.

AllyWoof · Mar 15, 2007

I have had a childrends book published before(story is posed on SYW un the file Story of My Dog or something close to that.) I had a friend be my illistrater. My thinking is its up to the individual.

Toothpaste · Mar 15, 2007

Actually no writerdog, your experience must have been out of the ordinary. Without a doubt the professional way of publishing a book with pictures is NOT to illustrate it first. Check up top, there is a sticky on the subject.

May I ask writerdog who published your children's book? If this publisher does accept illustrations, which is really rather unheard of (unless you are already an illustrator moving into writing), it would be great to know about it!

AllyWoof · Mar 15, 2007

It was a very small on-line company.

Jamesaritchie · Mar 15, 2007

Illustrations

Any real, commercial publisher assigns an illustrator. The writer just does the writing.

David McAfee · Mar 15, 2007

Thanks, everyone. That's about what I figured.

P.S. James A - love the blog!

myscribe · Mar 17, 2007

You can submit illustrations with a story if you are a professional artist. And there is no guarantee then that they will want you to illustrate it.

Otherwise, leave it up to the editor.

scarletpeaches · Mar 17, 2007

I've just read a children's book - Tim the Tiny Horse - and it was illustrated by the author.

But then again, he's a well-established comedian in Britain, so that probably gave him some clout when it came to setting up the publishing deal. I don't know if an unknown could do it.

myscribe · Mar 17, 2007

I think it depends on the quality of the art and the story - and how well the two go together. It is definitely harder for the new author-illustrator, but some are successful.

Of course, that's a whole different ballgame when celebrity status or clout comes into it.

AllyWoof · Mar 17, 2007

myscribe said:
I think it depends on the quality of the art and the story - and how well the two go together. It is definitely harder for the new author-illustrator, but some are successful.

Of course, that's a whole different ballgame when celebrity status or clout comes into it.

I agree.

johnzakour · Mar 17, 2007

If you are a professional illustrator or team with a professional illustrator you can present a book with text and art; but the standard is writer writes the script, publisher finds an illustrator.

Torgo · Mar 17, 2007

Scarlet, that's a very funny book by Harry Hill; the illustrations are all part of the wacky, haphazard charm of the book. http://www.harry-hill.tv/gifs/introTim.jpg

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